The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dealt a major scare Friday when it emerged that quarterback Baker Mayfield was ruled out of practice.
The Bucs starter has suffered an injury blow after sustaining a contusion in his throwing hand on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero.
Mayfield underwent scans as a precaution, which ruled out any further serious injuries, but will not take to the field during Friday’s practice session.
The signal caller, who arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023, is considered day-to-day heading into the weekend.
The 30-year-old has not missed a single game throughout his two seasons with the Buccaneers. Backups Kyle Trask and Connor Bazelak are likely to take the snaps in training, while Mayfield is on the sidelines.
The Buccaneers’ quarterback room had already been left thin by the absence of Pichael Pratt. The signal caller is already sitting out with a lower back injury and has been placed on the physically unable to perform list.
Baker Mayfield has suffered an injury blow after sustaining a contusion in his throwing hand
Mayfield underwent scans as a precaution and will not take to the field for Friday’s practice
It comes as yet another injury blow for the Bucs after it emerged last month that Tristan Wirfs would miss the start of the upcoming season.
The left tackle could be out for at least four games after he underwent surgery on his right knee at the beginning of July. He had sustained an injury to the joint, which forced him to miss one game during last season.
The 26-year-old is now reportedly expected to start the upcoming campaign on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he will miss at least four of the Buccaneers’ opening games.
The two-time All-Pro had attempted to battle through the injury during Tampa Bay’s offseason program sporting a brace on the knee. However, following multiple setbacks, he reportedly opted to undergo surgery.
His absence comes as a huge blow to the Buccaneers with Wirfs usually protecting the blind side of Mayfield, one of his closest friends on the team. But now, the Buccaneers could find themselves without both.
